Combined safety and sealing device for oil and gas wells



Jan. 30, w A INGALLS COMBINED SAFETY AND SEALING DEVICE FOR on. AND GAS WEL Filed March 15. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet Inventor MW/aw VZ Z7; a/A

Jan. 30, 1934. w A [NGALLS v 1,945,222

COMBINED SAFETY AND SEALING DEVICE FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS Filed March 15; 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 20 .4 mm m r| r-l [-1 79 4 I mrenior MW/am [/7 [/7 a/As Jan. 30, w A. |NGALL$ COMBINED SAFETY AND SEALING DEVICE FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS Filed March 15. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 \g ew 6 l I /a I I I 49 i 26 Q fi 7 72a Inventor o WWW/0m 1 7a //J M By I Patented Jan. 30, 1934 V UNITED STATES COMBINED SAFETY AND SEALING DEVICE OIL AND GAS WELLS William A. Ingalls, Bristow, Okla.

Application March 15, 1932. Serial No. 599,040

1 Claim.

This invention relates broadly to Wells, having particular reference to oil and gas wells, and in accordance withthe present invention, means is provided for sealing the well, and for extinguishing fire occurring in the well.

-To obtain the above objects, there is provided an improved valvular head for the well which is preferably but not necessarily remotely controlled for sealing the well when desired.

Further, the invention comprehends the provision of means for applying water to the well casing for use in extinguishing fire.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of ithe following description, taken in connection With the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the sealing device and remote control means therefor.

Figure 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing an application of the invention.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the sealing device per se.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional elevational view therethrough.

1 Figure 5 is a plan view of the sealing device,

with the upper section of the casing removed.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 6 of Figure 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows. T. Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the reciprocating valve member.

With reference more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that my improved sealing device comprises a casing designated generally by the reference character 5, the same being preferably rectangular, and is split longitudinally to provide upper and lower complemental sections 6 and 7.

The sections 6 and 7 are assembled with their 4o 'open sides confronting and are secured in assembled relation through the medium of tie bolts 29.

The sections 6 and 7 are internallyprovided with longitudinal guide channels 8, 9 and with longitudinal notches 10 and 11 at relatively opposite sides of the channels 8 and 9 to provide rails for a purpose hereinafter made manifest.

The sections 6 and 7 are also provided with vertically alined portions 12 and 13 continued longitudinally by tubular necks or flanges 14, 15. The necks 14, 15 are internally threaded as shown for threaded reception of the proximate ends of the alined sections 16a, 16b forming part of a well casing designated generally by the reference character 16 and clearly shown in Figure 2.

Arranged to reciprocate within the casing 5 is a valve member 17 which comprises a substantially rectangular body having upper and lower" ends operating in the grooves 8 and 9, and provided at relativelyopposite edges with ribs 17a operating in the channels formed by the opposed notches 10, 11. (See Figures 5 and 6.)

Connected with the valve member 17, and preferably integral therewith is a valve rod 18 that operates through an opening 19 provided in one end of the casing 5. Opening 19 is formed by registering notches provided in the corresponding ends of the casing sections 6 and 7. At its outer end the valve rod 18 is provided with a cross head 19. Remote control means is provided for actuating the valve 17 to close the ports 12, 13, and in the present instance such means consists of rods 21 suitably connected at one end to the cross head 20 as shown in Figure 5, and constrained to reciprocate by reason of lateral guides 22. Each of the guides 22 comprise a vertical post having an aperture for accommodating a rod 21, and a horizontal or flange portion 22a bolted or otherwise secured to the under side of casing section 7.

Rods 21 are connected at their free ends to a cable 23 windable over the winch or drum of a conventional control jack designated generally by the reference character 24 and arranged any appropriate distance remote from the well. Obviously by winding the cable 23 on the winch of the jack, the valve 17 will be shifted from the left to the right to assume the position shown in Figure 5 thus interrupting passage between the well sections 16a, 16b, thereby effectively sealing the well.

The valve 17 is retained in this last named sealing position against casual displacement, through the medium of a dog 25 that has its free end arranged to engage the cross head 20, and which is pivoted as at 26 between spaced cars 27 rising from one end of a plate 28 that is secured by certain of the tie bolts 29 to the under side of the casing section 7.

In actual practice the valve or sealing device is normally in an open position, and in this position the parts are as best shown in Figure 4, that is with the valve member 17 moved laterally with respect to the passages or ports 12 and 13 so that there is an uninterrupted passage through the casing 5.

When, in the event of fire, or for any other reason it is desired to seal or close the well, the jack 24 is operated in a manner thought apparent for moving the valve member 17 to the position shown in Figure 5 and the dog is then swung to the position shown in Figures 3 and 5 or securing the valve in closing or sealing position.

In Figure 2 it will be seen that the section 16b of the well casing is coupled to the casing proper 16 through the medium of a pipe coupling to which is also coupled oppositely extending alined pipes 31, 32. 'In the present instance pipe 31 leads from a water supply tank (not shown) and arranged in the pipe 31 is a suitable manually actuated cut oil" valve 33. Pipe 32 leads to the oil or gas tube usually provided. Manifestly, in the event of fire, and the sealing of the well in the manner above explained, the gas emanat: ing from the well casing 16 and passing through the pipe 32 will afford sufficient suction, upon the valve 33 being moved to an open position, for drawing water through the conduit or pipe 31 from the water reservoir hereinbefore referred to, and into the well for smothering or clinching the fire.

From the foregoing it will.be seen. that I havev provided means remotely controlled, for. effectively sealing a well to thereby prevent escape of gas from the well, andto also insurea supply of water to the well for clinching, possible fire.

It will be also; apparent that, by having. the sealing device remotely controlled, danger. to persons charged with the operation and attendants to the well will be safeguarded since it will not be required of such person to venture too close to the well under conditions above noted.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the details of construction, combination and arrangement of elements as herein shown, and accordingly claim all such forms of the invention to which I am entitled.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is:

In' a device of the character described, the combination with a valve casing, a valve member mounted to reciprocate therein, a stem connected with the valve member, and a cross head on the outer end of said stem, of a plate secured at one end to the valve casing and having a free tapered end, opposed upstanding ears rising vertically fromthe plate at the tapered end thereof, and, an. angular dog having, one endithereof piv otally connectedwith the ears for swinging: move. ment between the ears, and having a free; end, arranged to engage thelcross head whenthe valve. is in fully closedcondition for securing the valve in such condition against casual opening.

WILLIAMEA. INGALLS,

lie. 

